STEM tomography in cell biology

J Struct Biol. 2007 Sep;159(3):381-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2007.04.006. Epub 2007 Apr 30.

Abstract

Transmission electron tomography has been used in biological sciences for quite some time and proven to be a valuable tool. However, to date, the different Scanning Transmission modes are almost not used for electron tomography on resin-embedded biological material. We explored different STEM modes on epon-embedded, osmium-uranyl-lead-stained biological material. Bright Field-TEM and High Angle Annular Dark Field-STEM tomograms from the same areas were recorded and compared. Contrast and signal-to-noise ratios were calculated. Template matching was used to validate results obtained in Bright Field-TEM and High Angle Annular Dark Field-STEM tomograms. It is concluded that High Angle Annular Dark Field-STEM gives a five times better contrast and signal-to-noise ratio than Bright Field-TEM. Template matching showed that 1.3 times more information could be extracted from High Angle Annular Dark Field-STEM tomograms than from Bright Field-TEM tomograms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cells / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission / methods*